Leviathan

Explain why Hobbes would argue that you ought to obey a law like not stealing, when in this case you know that you can get it away with it.

When in this case refers to free public broadcasting for TV and Radio. How many persons enjoy the media and do not contribute to it but say that someone else can do it. If you can afford to support the programming, should you not make some contribution? With these stations there is no obligation except your good will to see then continue. How should we view persons who use the media but let everyone else pay for it? Isn't that confirming some of what Hobbes is saying about the selfishness of human nature?

Asked by
Sharon K #403828
on 11/22/2014 11:22 PM

Last updated by
Aslan
on 11/23/2014 6:39 AM

Answers
1

In Books I and II Hobbes argued that in order to achieve peace, which is man's natural inclination, one should obey the civil laws of a commonwealth. The project of Book III is to reconcile this obedience with obedience to the divine laws of God, namely, the divine laws handed down to man through revelation and prophets. As Hobbes will eventually show, not only is there no tension between the civil and divine laws, but also obedience to a sovereign is a necessary component of obedience to God himself.